Mercedes-Benz M-Class Problems

This is an interesting one, because the actual battery on an ML350 is under the driver’s front seat, beneath the carpet in a little cubby hole under the floor. This is partly for better weight distribution but also for under-bonnet packaging, but it makes jump-starting or charging the battery a little bit more complex.

But Mercedes-Benz has thought this through and has provided one negative and one positive jump-point under the bonnet. You can locate them precisely by looking in the owner’s manual. By hooking a jump starter to these easily accessible posts, you can jump-start the vehicle without removing the carpet, floor and battery. As such, the same jump-points should also work as charge points for recharging the battery.

No, I don’t believe it would be some sort of trick to get more business. Have you been servicing it at a Mercedes-Benz dealership, or perhaps a regular mechanic? It could be a reset glitch after the last service.

If it is a diesel I would have the particulate filter checked, it might require regenerating.

I agree it's a problem. Unfortunately Mercedes-Benz didn't respond to our request for information on how to solve your issue, so I would suggest you contact a sat-nav specialist outlet and enlist their help.

As you say Mercedes generally cost more to service and repair, particularly if you have a dealer do the work.

They're not as expensive if you use an independent Mercedes specialist, and there are plenty around who can do that for you. They not only charge less for their labour, they usually have access to cheaper parts. Most of those parts are full factory parts, just sourced from overseas, instead of locally, so you don't miss out on quality or reliability by using them.

Jeep owners generally swear by the cars, but they have had issues over the years that should make you wary about signing on to the brand.

There's not much to split them, perhaps I would prefer the 'Benz.

You're correct in thinking the Mercedes would cost more to service and repair, particularly if you use a dealer. Going to an independent service mechanic with experience of Mercedes-Benz cars would save you plenty. The Jeep would be the cheaper of the two in terms of servicing, and of the two you are looking at that's the one I would opt for.

It sounds as if you want a sporty SUV and, with that budget, I’d be advising a late-model BMW X5.